Rick Calton leads Green Charge at Marco Island Tennis

We were recently in Florida at the USPTA Florida Conference. We met with Rick Calton, Director of Tennis Operations at Island Country Club, to discuss the impact his Green Tennis Machine has on their Marco Island tennis operating. Rick is a graduate of the Professional Tennis Management Program at Ferris State University, where he competed on the nationally ranked team from 1992 to 1993. He is also an USRSA Master Racquet Technician, PTR-Professional certified, USTA Sports Science Level I-and II-certified and a past NTRP verifier. He is a lifelong learner and has regularly been in the top 10% of the USPTA’s yearly educational points. He currently has over 300 continuing education points in his career.

The complete transcript of the Marco Island tennis leader, Rick Calton’s, unpaid testimonial:

I would highly recommend the Green Tennis Machine to anyone that uses ball machines or needs it for the teaching cart. It’s worked great to increase the service we offer to members.  Our ball machines are complimentary but we wanted to raise the quality of our tennis balls. By being able to recharge them, they’re getting a better product.

Since we purchased it in the middle of our budget year, we didn’t have any money set aside for capital for this expenditure. We started with a 6 month lease and when the 6 month lease ended, we were in a new capital year and we purchased it.

I’m Rick Carlton at the Island Country Club on Marco Island tennis Florida.

Rick has been active in fundraising & outreach.  He has organized free events with area elementary schools to increase tennis awareness.  Rick helped lead a fundraiser to raise $15k for an instructor with kidney disease.  Rick has directed a tennis tournament as part of the committee for Brian Hill Invitational for several years.  The event raised over $100,000 each year for Cystic Fibrosis.  He started a scholarship at Ferris State University titled “Professionalism in Business”.  The award was given each year to a Professional Management (PTM) Student. Rick is also a leader in the Marco Island tennis.